I was just online checking my email in between editing some files for work. And while online had a quick chat with a friend. I then proceeded to say I should sign off to finish some work before bed. (It's just after 11pm here in Bishkek)
It then occurred to me... I have no life. I have not yet followed my sister's advice and found more scandal and intrigue. And while I've fallen off Garmin's version of the world, I have no yet found some grand adventure. So dear friends go out and have a crazy adventure and email me all about it - I need to live vicariously through your insanity. As for now... I have work to do.
=(
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Monday, 4 October 2010
Things I should post on later
Gender. Big topic. Interesting topic. Something I've been thinking about for the last few days. But because it is a big, interesting topic... It's also intimidating. And will take more time to write than I'm ready to sit in front of a computer screen to do right now.
Also, I want to write about US LGBT Youth Suicides visibility in American media and how different it is to read the news from here.
Also Californian mud slinging in the political arena and the current elections here in Bishkek. Somehow corruption being the norm here makes it more polished and although the American political system seems more legitimate in outcomes the process is uglier... or at least so it seems from here.
GPS devices.
Cameras.
Being American.
Mosquitoes.
Food.
Why Coca-cola is so comforting when abroad....
Lots of things. But somehow though I often feel like an opinionated person who doesn't listen enough, when I'm typing posts I'm always second guessing. Is that really the way it was? Or did I just see it this way because of... ? Maybe that's not totally accurate. Let's just say that which can't be debated.
And by the time my mental loops have been jumped through the text that results is sadly boring. I read my coworker's blog and go, "Wow that sounds so exciting! But... that's not how I remember it at all. It was much more... eh/whatever. Not OMG exciting." Maybe I'm just being jaded? Maybe it is incredibly exciting. Maybe my life is much more interesting than I'm currently giving myself credit for. But from where I'm sitting it seems all I can do is hope this burning mosquito coil works, the net doesn't crash, the garlic adds flavor to the MREs, the only working converter doesn't conk out as it would kill my laptop's usefulness and that I can sleep through the call to prayer at 5:30 in the morning. It quickly goes from new exciting locale to adjusted rhythm of life with standard daily quirks and the desire not to see THE WORLD in big exciting capitals, but rather simply find a gym. The world will still be there afterwards, but somehow a forth floor walk up is just not as satisfying as a rowing machine.
Also, I want to write about US LGBT Youth Suicides visibility in American media and how different it is to read the news from here.
Also Californian mud slinging in the political arena and the current elections here in Bishkek. Somehow corruption being the norm here makes it more polished and although the American political system seems more legitimate in outcomes the process is uglier... or at least so it seems from here.
GPS devices.
Cameras.
Being American.
Mosquitoes.
Food.
Why Coca-cola is so comforting when abroad....
Lots of things. But somehow though I often feel like an opinionated person who doesn't listen enough, when I'm typing posts I'm always second guessing. Is that really the way it was? Or did I just see it this way because of... ? Maybe that's not totally accurate. Let's just say that which can't be debated.
And by the time my mental loops have been jumped through the text that results is sadly boring. I read my coworker's blog and go, "Wow that sounds so exciting! But... that's not how I remember it at all. It was much more... eh/whatever. Not OMG exciting." Maybe I'm just being jaded? Maybe it is incredibly exciting. Maybe my life is much more interesting than I'm currently giving myself credit for. But from where I'm sitting it seems all I can do is hope this burning mosquito coil works, the net doesn't crash, the garlic adds flavor to the MREs, the only working converter doesn't conk out as it would kill my laptop's usefulness and that I can sleep through the call to prayer at 5:30 in the morning. It quickly goes from new exciting locale to adjusted rhythm of life with standard daily quirks and the desire not to see THE WORLD in big exciting capitals, but rather simply find a gym. The world will still be there afterwards, but somehow a forth floor walk up is just not as satisfying as a rowing machine.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Don't Drink the Water
Actually I didn't drink the water. But I did eat the salad. Whoops.
My Californian kid mentality is craving vegetables. I know Americans are known for NOT eating their veggies, and apparently the Kyrgyz are similar in that respect. Thanks to summer there is a plethora of fresh produce, but the traditional food doesn't really incorporate it. So the veggies seem to be mostly served in salads, which would be fine, except the water is a bit of a challenge for the fragile western digestive system. At least I think that's what did it - but today I'm not feeling too hot. Luckily better off than my roomie out here in Bishkek - who woke up, puked, returned to bed. I opted to stay in bed without that excursion but still feeling a bit off. Hoping it passes quick.
It's Sunday here in Bishkek and it's looking like I will definitely be in town for the election on Tuesday. Which I am excited about as I'm sure it will be interesting to see an election outside the states. The closest to that I've seen in the past was back when Bush v. Gore was still undecided during winter break when I'd flown out to see family in India. But election day itself - I've never seen in another country, and in a country that's only recently had a revolution I'm sure it will be even more interesting. Not sure what to expect, but oh well... Adventure continues even if it's been on pause for today.
My Californian kid mentality is craving vegetables. I know Americans are known for NOT eating their veggies, and apparently the Kyrgyz are similar in that respect. Thanks to summer there is a plethora of fresh produce, but the traditional food doesn't really incorporate it. So the veggies seem to be mostly served in salads, which would be fine, except the water is a bit of a challenge for the fragile western digestive system. At least I think that's what did it - but today I'm not feeling too hot. Luckily better off than my roomie out here in Bishkek - who woke up, puked, returned to bed. I opted to stay in bed without that excursion but still feeling a bit off. Hoping it passes quick.
It's Sunday here in Bishkek and it's looking like I will definitely be in town for the election on Tuesday. Which I am excited about as I'm sure it will be interesting to see an election outside the states. The closest to that I've seen in the past was back when Bush v. Gore was still undecided during winter break when I'd flown out to see family in India. But election day itself - I've never seen in another country, and in a country that's only recently had a revolution I'm sure it will be even more interesting. Not sure what to expect, but oh well... Adventure continues even if it's been on pause for today.
Saturday, 2 October 2010
A Day of Rest and Energy in the Evening
Today after taking the time to sleep in I found myself wondering, what is there to do in Bishkek for a non-Russian speaker? And getting little other advice I found myself following google maps to see Osh Bazaar again. Nice walk, interrupted by a political rally. This time by the supporters of the guy with the red flags all over Bishkek... So his supporters were all wearing red and carrying larger versions of the red flags. Fliers have been popping up all over so the formerly saturated wall postings are now once again recovered in fresh fliers. The blue and red ones I've gotten used to seeing have competition from a fresh coat of bright green fliers. This election is now in RGB!
I'm sure I'd have more interesting thoughts about this if I knew anything about any of the candidates. The only thing I know is the one who's face is 8 stories high farther down our block apparently cheated on his master's according to one of the girls in the office who knew him in school. They're all supposed to be corrupt in different degrees from what I've heard, and I don't know much about them. So it's weird because I see a political rally and think, "Cool! Bright colors, people who *WANT* their photo taken and not looking like a tourist when I shoot photos. (obviously I'm a journalist not a tourist when it's newsworthy)"
Eventually made it to the bazaar and took more photos because last time was obviously not enough. Then did the stereotypical expat thing and had dinner at Fatboys. A local restaurant with a menu in English! How exciting. Did an atypical meal of Turkish plov, Chinese beef, and British cider. Multinational meal! Actually a delicious combination too. I'd recommend it and have it again. Then proceeded to walk back to the flat.
As I arrived fireworks started exploding over Bishkek. Sounded very eerie as midway through the call to prayer began at the mosque on our street so their was an odd blending of booming explosions and a deep voice resonating through the clear night. Something very violent about the contrast in the sounds. But that might just be because I'm only used to hearing fireworks on the 4th of July and new year's day - so the sound is unfamiliar when unexpected in a foreign city. Regardless, the combination of the sounds in the air, the presence of political fliers EVERYWHERE, spontaneous rallies and men with megaphones definitely has injected energy into the stagnant and quiet life I seem to have become accustomed to in Bishkek.
I have no clue what the schedule looks like, but after the rally yesterday and another today - I feel like this weekend will continue to get more and more interesting. And Tuesday should be very exciting at this rate. But part of me hopes it's really rather dull as dull tends to mean peaceful and orderly. Soon one of the girls will be taking us out later so hopefully will enjoy the first taste of Bishkek's night life - for now just relaxing around the flat listening to music. Hope you're well!
I'm sure I'd have more interesting thoughts about this if I knew anything about any of the candidates. The only thing I know is the one who's face is 8 stories high farther down our block apparently cheated on his master's according to one of the girls in the office who knew him in school. They're all supposed to be corrupt in different degrees from what I've heard, and I don't know much about them. So it's weird because I see a political rally and think, "Cool! Bright colors, people who *WANT* their photo taken and not looking like a tourist when I shoot photos. (obviously I'm a journalist not a tourist when it's newsworthy)"
Eventually made it to the bazaar and took more photos because last time was obviously not enough. Then did the stereotypical expat thing and had dinner at Fatboys. A local restaurant with a menu in English! How exciting. Did an atypical meal of Turkish plov, Chinese beef, and British cider. Multinational meal! Actually a delicious combination too. I'd recommend it and have it again. Then proceeded to walk back to the flat.
As I arrived fireworks started exploding over Bishkek. Sounded very eerie as midway through the call to prayer began at the mosque on our street so their was an odd blending of booming explosions and a deep voice resonating through the clear night. Something very violent about the contrast in the sounds. But that might just be because I'm only used to hearing fireworks on the 4th of July and new year's day - so the sound is unfamiliar when unexpected in a foreign city. Regardless, the combination of the sounds in the air, the presence of political fliers EVERYWHERE, spontaneous rallies and men with megaphones definitely has injected energy into the stagnant and quiet life I seem to have become accustomed to in Bishkek.
I have no clue what the schedule looks like, but after the rally yesterday and another today - I feel like this weekend will continue to get more and more interesting. And Tuesday should be very exciting at this rate. But part of me hopes it's really rather dull as dull tends to mean peaceful and orderly. Soon one of the girls will be taking us out later so hopefully will enjoy the first taste of Bishkek's night life - for now just relaxing around the flat listening to music. Hope you're well!
Friday, 1 October 2010
Common Theme in Politics: Cute Kids
Seen earlier today while she was performing in an election rally at Victory Square.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)